Film / Magical Legend of the Leprechauns

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A 1999 two-part Made-for-TV Movie by Hallmark, about two couples who are dealing with very different romantic strife and yet have a large amount of impact on the others' stories.

The first couple is a man from New York (Randy Quaid), employed by a developer company to look for land in Ireland to use for resorts, and Kathleen, the plucky (and surprisingly not redheaded!) Irish woman he meets there.

The second couple is a leprechaun named Mickey and a trooping fairy named Jessica, whose newfound love for each other is challenged by long-running blood feuds between their species. Their side of the story is essentially a Lighter and Fluffier retelling of Romeo and Juliet, but as a whole this film is not as Light and Fluffy as it sounds, staying clear of Tastes Like Diabetes territory.

Contains examples of:

Disney Death: Every death turns out to be this at the end, even Grogan's (who will be kept dead for only "a hundred years or so, just to be safe"). Justified by the fact that the fairies are only mortal thanks to the Grand Banshee's decree, as punishment for the feud turning to violence. As soon as hostilities are ended, her decree is rescinded and the deaths are (or will be) undone.

Genre Savvy: Jentee, who has apparently readRomeo and Juliet, as he suggests to Mickey and Jessica that killing themselves would bring their families 'round.

Heroic Sacrifice: Mickey and Jessica, twice - first their love (which doesn't work), then their lives.

Large Ham: Pretty much every character gets their chance, but special mention must go to the magma-ish gatekeeper, who is a hammy giant.

Leprechaun: Averted to a degree: while leprechauns are stereotypically Irish, wear green coats, and can turn invisible, they are only about a foot tall, are represented by all major genders (or at least one gender plus Mary and the female dancers), and are far from the only mythical creatures living in Ireland.

Masquerade Ball: Three guesses as to where Mickey and Jessica meet, and the first two don't count.

Mighty Whitey: Lampshaded by Kathleen, who makes a snarky remark about how the American has come to save the Irish peasants from destruction. Jack insists this isn't the case.

Naked People Are Funny: It's hard not to laugh at Kathleen when she gets caught swimming naked out in the woods.

Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: The antidote vial breaks because Kathleen apparently couldn't be bothered to keep it somewhere safer than her hand.

Outdoor Bath Peeping: This is how Jack first accidentally stumbles upon Kathleen. She and her brothers aren't amused.

Rule of Drama: The plot of the Star-Crossed Lovers just happens to threaten all of existence, or at least everything living, thanks to the war between the fairies and leprechauns distracting the former from their duties so that the world's weather goes haywire.

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